Analyzing Automotive Paints With Extended Range ATR: 1800–100 cm-1

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is used extensively to characterize the chemical composition of trace evidence such as paints, fibers and adhesives as well as seized drugs and related chemicals. We have recently introduced the Thermo ScientificTM iSTM50 ATR module, a novel, extended-range attenuated total reflectance (ATR) module that is integrated into the NicoletTM iS50 FT-IR spectrometer. This insures that the ATR module is always available for rapid analysis of unknown materials even with another accessory mounted in the sample compartment. The built-in ATR combines an optimized optical design with a diamond ATR crystal and a broad range DTGS detector to provide high-sensitivity infrared spectroscopy from 4000 cm-1 to 100 cm-1. The enhanced stability, resulting from mounting the ATR within the sealed section of the spectrometer, makes it possible to acquire spectra down to 200 cm-1 even with a desiccated system.